On Wednesday, March 24, 2021, FosterClub and Juvenile Law Center with Youth Villages provided a second summary of the older youth sections of the Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act program instructions and highlighted key areas to support the implementation of the law.

 

This webinar specifically provided the summary and highlights of ETV and Reporting. The purpose of ETV’s increase and flexibilities is to support youth and young adults to help them reconnect and succeed with their post-secondary education.

 

The age of eligibility for ETV’s has been extended to one year to cover youth until they reach age 27. Additionally, the award amount for ETV’s has been increased to $12,000 from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2022. This provision will last longer than any other provision as it extends to 2022, and the rest only extend through September 2021. Several ETV requirements have the potential of being waived by states, including enrollment requirements, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement, and full-time status. ETV funds use do not have to be used exclusively for tuition; they can be used for laptops, desks, chairs, printers, or anything else you may need to work out of your living area productively.

 

Reminders about ETV’s:

  • The 5-year limit for ETV’s is NOT waived
  • ETV funding can be used for advanced degrees, as well as qualifying vocational education, associate’s, and bachelor’s degree programs.
  • There is no match requirement for the additional funding provided for ETV.

 

The additional ETV funding is available for expenditures over a 2-year period from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2022, and must be liquidated by December 30, 2022. However, many of the program flexibilities end September 30, 2021, with the exception of the increase in the ETV maximum award to $12,000, which lasts until September 30, 2022.

 

These funds’ reporting requirements must be included in the state’s Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR), which is due June 30, 2021. To find more details on the requirements for reporting, view the webinar here.

 

 

Further information can be viewed at www.fosterclub.com/oypr. Any questions can be sent to oypr@fosterclub.com.